2014 MacBook Pro: Top 3 Business Features

All versions of the MacBook Pro will update to OS X Yosemite this fall. / Credit: Apple

Apple has refreshed its Retina display MacBook Pro computers by packing in a faster processor and more memory, but without upping the price. The non-Retina display 13-inch MacBook Pro is also getting a price drop, making it a better pick for budget-minded business users. Plus, all versions are due for a major software upgrade this fall with the pending release of OS X Yosemite, a revamped version of Apple's desktop operating system. If you're considering a new Apple laptop as your next business companion, read on for three features that make the new models good for work.

Price Drop for 13-inch MacBook Pro

The entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, which lacks a super-high resolution Retina display, is now a better value after Apple slashed the price by $100, bringing the cost of the notebook down to $1,099. Meanwhile, pricing for 13-inch configurations that include a Retina display remain the same, starting at $1,299 and topping out at $1,799.

All 13-inch MacBook Pro computers also received a hardware boost, including the non-Retina entry-level version. All configurations now come with 8GB of RAM – up from 4GB on cheaper models – and all received a 200MHz processor speed boost over their 2013 iterations.

Speed boost for the 15-inch MacBook Pro

The larger 15-inch MacBook pro models also received hardware enhancements this year. All configurations now ship with 16GB of RAM standard – up from 8GB on cheaper models – and all also received a 200MHz CPU speed bump. Apple's 15-inch notebook still starts at $1,999, just like last year's model, but the top-end version is $100 cheaper at $2,499.

OS X Yosemite

The next major operating system update for Apple’s desktop computers, OS X Yosemite, is set to drop this fall with a slew of new, productivity-boosting features. For starters, Yosemite introduces a revamped Notification Center with a new Today view, offering a closer look at your calendar, weather, stocks and more for the current day. Also new is the ability to add widgets to the Notification Center for reminders, social networking alerts and more.

Yosemite also introduces iCloud Drive, a beefed-up cloud storage platform that lets you sync files and documents across devices with a drag-and-drop interface. The platform is built right into the Finder in OS X Yosemite, so it's easy to find.

Meanwhile, a redesigned Spotlight app can help you find files, apps and Web content in a hurry. Just click the magnifying glass on the desktop to launch the new Spotlight, then type a couple of characters for instant search results.

Brett Nuckles has been a working journalist since 2009. He got his start in local newspapers covering community news, local government, education and more before he joined the Business News Daily staff in 2013. He graduated from Ohio University, where he studied Journalism and English. Follow him on Twitter @BrettNuckles.